"They were not told why they were being searched or the reasons why the strip search needed to be conducted," Ms Lee said.

"In many cases a whole lot of aspects of the law were not followed."

Sniffer dogs are out in force at summer music festivals. Picture: AAP/Emma Brasier

WHY THE INCREASE?

Mr Shoebridge believes the spike in strip searches in the past two years comes from a change in policy and signals a move towards more aggressive policing.

"Clearly there is a far more aggressive approach from police and for it to be so wide spread it must be with the support of very senior police," he said.

NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller denied news.com.au's request for an interview but his spokesperson said: "Officers are able to search a person where they suspect on reasonable grounds (that they) are in possession of a drug, something stolen, a firearm or a prohibited weapon. There are controls and safeguards about how extensive, and on what basis, officers can proceed."

There have been 10 drug-related deaths at music festivals in the past five years.

A 22-year-old man died on December 30 after taking an unknown substance at the Lost Paradise Music Festival at Glenworth Valley. Three others were charged for allegedly possessing and dealing drugs.

Two people died at Sydney's Defqon.1 music festival in September from suspected overdoses, with hundreds more receiving medical assistance, prompting Premier Gladys Berejiklian to vow to shut down the music festival.

"Festival-goers have a right to enjoy these events without fear of harm. Parents and families expect us to do whatever we can to keep their children safe," she said in September.

The NSW Government has been staunchly against pill testing, but Ms Berejiklian softened her stance on the issue early this month, saying she would consider it if the government was shown evidence it saved lives.

The ACT allowed pill testing at Canberra's Groovin the Moo festival in April, after a trial found 40 per cent of participants said they would change their drug habits after finding out the contents of their substances.

However, Mr Shoebridge said the stripsearching alternative disproportionately targeted young people.

"I don't know how you could describe it other than a war on having fun," he said.

Aboriginal communities are also affected, with reports children as young as 10 years old are being stripsearched.

"I am hopeful that an independent review will change police attitudes and change policy," he said.

"It needs to change because at the moment the police are actively destroying their relationships with young people in NSW.